NHL Rumor Mill – March 15, 2025
Updates on the Rangers and Jets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh recently looked ahead at possible offseason moves by the New York Rangers.
The Rangers have a projected $84 million invested in 17 active roster players for 2025-26, leaving them with less than $11 million in cap space. With restricted free agents K’Andre Miller and Will Cuylle due for new contracts, it won’t leave much room to take a big swing in the free-agent market this summer.
New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).
Baugh believes the Rangers must move players out if they’re going to make substantial roster changes this summer. Chris Kreider is the obvious trade candidate, though moving his $6.5 million cap hit won’t be easy given his 15-team no-trade list and disappointing performance this season.
The Rangers could trade Miller if he proves too expensive to re-sign, but that would risk letting a high-upside player get away. Trading Mika Zibanejad or Artemi Panarin would free up even more cap space, but they have full no-movement clauses.
Baugh also wondered if a rival club with plentiful cap space, like the Chicago Blackhawks, might attempt to sign away someone like Cuylle with an offer sheet.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin might draw more interest than Kreider or Zibanejad because he has a year left on his contract. He has a hefty $11.6 million AAV but will earn $8 million in actual salary next season, with $7 million of that a signing bonus.
Panarin’s production is down compared to the last three seasons but he has 69 points in 64 games. He could be of interest to a Cup contender seeking additional scoring punch. Still, he’d have to agree to a trade and the Rangers would probably have to retain part of his cap hit.
So, what say you, Rangers fans? What moves should your team make to free up cap space for meaningful change? Let us know in the comments section below.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Athletic’s Murat Ates discussed Neal Pionk’s future with the Winnipeg Jets. The 29-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible this summer with 37 points in 65 games this season. His production cooled off lately before he was sidelined by a lower-body injury.
Ates said Pionk is comfortable with the state of negotiations between his agent and Jets management. He expects the Jets want to retain him to keep their second-pairing defense core intact. Pionk skates alongside Dylan Samberg, who’s a restricted free agent this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pionk is completing a four-year contract with an AAV of $5.875 million. It could cost around $7.5 million annually to keep him in Winnipeg. As a right-shot, puck-moving defenseman, he could draw lots of interest if he tests the free-agent market on July 1.
If Carolina offered rantinen for marner was Toronto obligated to present that offer to marner?
Yes, because Marner has a full no-movement clause.
I have a feeling he’ll be forced to violate his own clause when they decide to take his $11 mil per and run without offering him anything.
His own clause? Are you saying when they don’t re-sign him?
I do think it’s the best play for both player and team to remain unsigned. The reason is simply because on both cases, if Marner was to re-up and the Leafs fail to progress meaningfully this postseason it won’t look good considering what has transpired the past years and lack of success with this iteration of the team. However if they do good and he “shows up” it still a win either case for staying or going.
The drama over asking him at the trade deadline is just business as in the team needed confirmation on where the player is (stay or get out). To me, it’s a no brainer asking a player who is still unsigned to ask if he’s leaning more on staying or going when there is a deadline approaching. I’m sure that money that was going to go to Rantanen is going to Marner if he stays.
Yeah, was just being facetious. There’s a good crop of different-dimension UFAs looming on the market and having that additional $11 mil at hand – plus whatever the difference is between Tavares’ current cap hit and his new one (assuming HE stays) can bring in a whole new look.
No they weren`t Lyle, Treliving could`ve said no to the trade, hung up the phone. They went to Marner because they liked the deal and knew they could sign Rantanen, whereas in Marner he probably walks
Yogi, what could turn this whole issue around is if the Leafs go deep in the playoffs, and Marner’s contributions to that end are significant.
And I wouldn’t dismiss that possibility.
That would be quite the turn around for Marner, first half the season he looked like he wanted to make an impact. He was on a 100+ point season and was looking great when Matthews was out of the lineup. In his last 20 games he has 21 points and 10 of them came in 4 games. Right now he`s trending in the wrong direction. Was it the 4 nations cup or the games are just more meaningful and there`s less room to play with. When the news broke that Toronto wanted to trade him for Rantanen, reality just slapped him in the face. He hasn`t done a media scrum since, mind you Matthews hasn`t exactly been around much either. I said that this needed to be dealt with before the trade deadline so it wouldn`t become a huge distraction. Too many behind the scenes problems this year. Matthews injury, Marners whatever his problems are. Fans deserve a little better than the little soap opera we`re getting this year. Oh well, can`t change anything now, the damage has pretty much been done
No, Toronto wasn’t obligated; they could have told Carolina they weren’t interested. That Toronto did take the step of asking says to me at least they were willing to trade Marner if they liked the deal.
Miller is a guy I would trade or not qualify. He has regressed over the last couple of years. He’s an offensive defenseman not putting up offense. Which makes him completely useless and always a liability.
Zac Jones is an upgrade all the way around. Jones is a lot like a left handed Fox. Not quite as good all the way around but a MUCH better skater. Having both is a bit redundant.
So here’s another idea. Trade Fox in the offseason before his clause kicks in. What team isn’t giving up a massive return? And zero retention would be required.
Don’t think this will be a popular plan among Ranger fans. But a more realistic way of freeing up cap space than trading Zibanejad or Panarin.
Plus, moving Zibanejad to Millers wing has woken him up. Either way, I can’t see Panarin or Zibanejad waiving. And both would definitely require retention if they did waive.
I wouldn’t give up on Fox. He represents one of the key cogs you need to build a successful team.
In a perfect world, I’d hang on to Fox. But the reality of cap issues and very doubtful Panarin or Zibanejad waive or could be traded without retention leaves it as a realistic option.
I do see Jones as a younger / cheaper version of Fox. (Not as talented, but he also hasn’t been given a fair opportunity to play) And a very big upgrade over Miller.
The emergence of Schneider would also make that trade a little easier to take.
Schneider and Jones would take up less than half of Fox’s cap hit. And also getting rid of Miller combined with Fox would free up roughly 10 million in cap space.
Schneider 3 years younger than Fox, Jones 4 years younger.
Once Fox’s NMC kicks in, zero chance he waives for the duration of that contract.
An unfortunate cap casualty. But one that brings back the best return with zero retention on that roster.
Capt
McAvoy for Fox
Don’t hate the trade idea. Ny would be giving up offensive for grit. I’m a huge McAvoy fan.
The issue? It frees up zero cap space. Which would be the only reason NY would consider moving Fox out.
Sorry, wouldn’t trade Charlie for too many people .
Ha that’s funny!
On the other hand they could have assumed Marner would have said no if approached so they could have just said no to Carolina and marner and the media would have never known.
Rangers might want to give Hughes a call, picks and prospects could solve the cap issues and further the shakeup.
If Zibanejad agrees to waive the NMC
he’d solve the Habs 2C .
Point being there are a number of guys out there who either stretch the cap or as UFAs will stretch the cap even though it’s rising.
I think we may be in for some surprise signings this summer.
I would rather have Trocheck over Zabinejad.
Of the two choices, Craig, agreed. Zebanejad’s contract goes on too long and too high a cap fit to fit into the Habs’ need for a 2C, which IMO is 4 years max. We’ll have Hague on board by then. Trocheck ‘s term fits.
Moving Trochek doesn’t solve NYR cap problem and he is effectively their 1C
Zibanejad is a cap weight, no longer a top C, he’s only 31, so the term isn’t terrible.
He’s the kind of guy like Tavares who would be interesting to consider.
I think HuGo are going to wait for the kids to push through or they would have held on to Monahan.
just spitballing.
Sure, spitballing drives this site, HF30.
Not sure that Zibanejad sees the Habs as getting him a cup sooner than with the Rangers, though, and given his MNC …
I had a quick look at centers by by scoring, and no one jumped out at me as an obvious and easy target for the Habs. Those that would be a legit 2C will surely cost. That so, I anticipate that it would not just be a high pick and a high end prospect that would have to be part of the return, but also a roster player. Anderson? Laine? Problem is the Habs current depth at forward.
I look forward to the summer trades and signings.
Since being put on a line with JT Miller, Zibanejad looks like a different player. The problem with trading Trocheck is it leaves NY without a 2nd line center.
I suggested months ago, prior to the Miller trade of putting Zibanejad on the lw where he seemed more comfortable. But they put him on the RW and it’s been paying off nicely.
I think Zibanejad is MUCH better suited not playing center. But if he were willing to waive and Montreal were willing to absorb his entire cap hit , Drury would be nuts for passing.
HabFan, the Habs will not trade for Zibenijad with 5 years left at $8.5m. AAV and declining production.
I believe that the NYR have a serious interest in JJ Peterka. I’m not sure what form a trade would look like for either NY or for BUF, but I believe it bears watching.
There is no way Panarin waives his NMC, he signed in NY because its NY.
I like the Fox trade idea, because since his Norris trophy, it feels like he has regressed, maybe not so much in points but in play.
Jets need to let Pionk walk at that price and term, he’s really not a driver of a pairing. He’s benefiting massively from Samberg this season.
Never say never on Panarin. Didn’t think Drury could dump Trouba and Goodrow the way he did. If he makes it clear he won’t be extended, Panarin might want out. Just wait till he gets on JT’s bad side. Definitely would trade K Miller. Don’t see much upside with him. Can’t imagine they’d move Fox. There were rumors Rangers had interest in Peterka. I’d be more interested in Dahlin if that smoke starts building. Start with offering K Miller and Laf and go from there.
Panarin ($2M retained) to the Isles for Lee, 2027 2nd, and Isaiah George
It is still NYC
Dahlins cap hit is 11 per. So starting with K Miller and Laffrienere makes the money work. But little else.
The difference between Trouba and Panarin is the NMC. They can’t force his hand like they did Trouba by threatening waivers. Ditto Goodrow.
Panarin left a lot on the table when he joined NY. Very doubtful he waives.
And if Buffalo even thinks about trading Dahlin, they’re even more dysfunctional than we could even imagine . Certainly not trading him for the return you’re suggesting.
And that makes NYs top pairing over 20 million per. Puts them right back into cap hell with even more holes to fill. Not ideal.
Agree totally on Dahlin – nor should Peterka be dealt either.
Right at this moment – as I write – the Sabres have scored the 2-2 tying goal half-way through the 3rd against an obviously too-sure-of-the-2-points Vegas, firing 29 shots on Hill so far, whle only allowing 16 on Luukkonen.
I think Carolina wanted some draft capital back. Had to be more than Rantanen for Marner involved . If there was even a remote possibility you have to perform your due diligence . Similar with Markstrom and the Flames last year.
Not sure about too many undersized defence men. No matter the team you will have to be able to defend. One”s good.
I agree Brock Landers, Samberg needs to be the bigger priority signing on the blueline for the Jets. Not sure what Pionk is worth on the open market but as a very small player entering his 30’s I hope the Jets are very cautious with any offer. I’d be ok at 3×6 but nothing beyond that. He will get better offers as a UFA for sure. Take the hometown discount otherwise thanks for your service and all the best to ya. Hope we see how the Jets just played Dallas show up in the playoffs!!
And Buffalo wins it in a SO goal by Tuch – 4-3 – after firing 37 at Hill and allowing just 19 sots on Luukkonen. Go figure.
Vegas will not be so happy when they face Detroit tomorrow! Should be a feisty game!